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Mahabaleshwar Temple Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar Hotels, Mahabaleshwar Travel Guide, Mahabaleshwar Tourism, Mahabaleshwar Attractions

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Main Shiv Sites - Mahabaleshwar - Introduction

Introduction

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Introduction: 
   
Mahabaleshwar is situated in the Sahyadri mountain range in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
   
During the British rule, it was the summer capital of Bombay Residency and is today rated as the best among all hill stations in Maharashtra.
   
Mahabaleshwar is considered as the land of Vishnu and Brahma too, besides Shiv.
   
It has 2 parts, one which has most of the picnic and recreation spots, and the other which is the old Mahabaleshwar at 2 km, where the temples and other holy sites are located.
   
It is also an ideal location for adventure sports with facilities available for rowing, fishing, horse-riding, and mountaineering.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to the Puranas, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, all 3 of them performed austerities over here.
   
According to a legend from Skand Puran, at the beginning of the creation, Brahma had performed a yagna over here which was interrupted by 2 demons called Mahabal and Atibal. Atibal was killed by Lord Vishnu but in order to get rid of Mahabal, Aadimaya (divine Goddess) had to appear as an incarnation. However, before his death, Mahabal got a boon granted wherein the triad Gods would reside there and the region would be named after him.
   
It is believed that Shiv as Mahabaleshwar, Vishnu as Atibaleshwar and Brahma as Kotishwar, always reside here.
   
Seven rivers, viz. Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savitri, and Gayatri, Bhagirathi and Saraswati originate from the region. According to mythological beliefs, Lord Vishnu flows as Krishna, Shiv as Venna and Brahma as Koyna Rivers because of a curse by Devi Savitri.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the ancient times, this region was under the Satvahans and the Rashtrakoots.
   
The earliest historical description of this place is from 1215 A.D. when King Singhan of the Yadav dynasty of Devgiri built a temple and a lake at the source of the Krishna River.
   
In 1347 A.D., the Bahamani rule was established whose tolerance to religion helped in the development of the region.
   
In the 16th century, Chandrarao More (ruler of Javli fort) built the Mahabaleshwar Temple over here.
   
During his early victories, Shivaji conquered Javli and Mahabaleshwar and built a new fort in Pratapgarh in 1656 A.D.
   
Samarth Guru Ramdas, the guru of Shivaji, installed an idol of Maruti in the Balbhim Temple.
   
Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built the temple of Rudreshwar in 1765-95 A.D.
   
After the third Anglo-Maratha battle, the British took control over the region and gave it away to the king of Satara in 1819 A.D.
   
In 1824 A.D., Sir Lodwick first visited this place.
   
John Malcom developed it as a health resort in 1829 A.D.
   
This region went over to the British as a result of Dalhousie’s annexation policy. Thereafter, it started functioning as the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the British governance.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
MahabaleshwarTemple:
 
This temple situated in old Mahabaleshwar has a Shivling from which water keeps trickling. It is believed that this water is the source of 5 rivers. There is a shrine of Kaal Bhairav outside the temple.
   
Balbhim Temple:
  This temple situated close to Krishnabai temple, has the name of Samarth Guru Ramdas associated with it.
   
Brahmaranya (Brahma forest):
  This is a dense forest area at 3 km from the temple. It is believed that Brahma meditated here. Situated close by is a cave in which was said to be his Yagna vedi (sacrificial altar).
   
There are over 30 sites in Mahabaleshwar that provide a scenic view of nature of which the prominent ones are:
 
• Wilson Point - This is the highest site in Mahabaleshwar offering a unique view of the sunrise and the sunset.
• Bombay Point - This is the ideal location to get a splendid view of the forests and valleys.
• Lodwick Point - This site of Mahabaleshwar was the first to be discovered.
• Morarji Mahal - An old building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1945 A.D.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Shivratri:
 
This is the biggest festival and is celebrated in February. The place takes the form of a local fair on this occasion.
   
Makar Sankranti:
 
It is celebrated in January as a festival of bathing in the Krishna River.
   
Gudi Festival:
 
It is celebrated as a new year.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Hotels:
 
Category General
Name Hotel Sunny Classic
Address Main Road, Main Market, Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 680
   
 
Category General
Name Savoy Village
Address Behind Hotel Rajesh, Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 261 742, 09325211464
Fax +91 - 2168 - 26053371
   
 
Category Medium
Name Hotel Anand Bhuvan
Address Duchess Road, Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 030
Fax +91 - 2168 - 260 641
   
 
Category Medium
Name Pratap Heritage
Address Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 777
Fax +91 - 2168 - 260 777
   
 
Category Medium
Name Grand Resort
Address Next to Madhusagar, Mahabaleshwar, Dist-Satara,  Maharashttra - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 322
Web Site www.grand-resort.co.in
   
 
Category High
Name Hotel Dreamland
Address Behind S. T. Stand, Mahabaleshwar-412806.
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 228 / 260 060 - 62
   
 
Category High
Name Brightland Holiday Village
Address Kate’s Point Road, Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 700
   
 
Category High
Name Hotel Gautam
Address Rice View Road, Mahabaleshwar - 412 806
Telephone +91 - 2168 - 260 088
Fax +91 - 2168 - 260 788
Email gautam@nivalink.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
Geographical  Location Height  Above  Sea Level Average Annual Rainfall
Latitude Longitude 1372 metres 350 mm
18˚ N 73˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum 29 30 39 37 36 31 28 27 29 31 30 28
Minimum 12 13 17 20 22 22 22 21 21 17 14 12
   
 
Important Information
Situated at the source of Krishna River, this hill station is at about 220 km from Mumbai.
The location being at a height, Mahabaleshwar does not get very hot, and due to the effect of the Arabian Sea, it does not get very cold in the winter also. Therefore tourists flock throughout the year except monsoons.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
STD Code
02168
Puja Timings 6.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m., 6.00- 9.00 p.m.
Police Assistance
 Tel: +91 - 2168 - 260 217
Ambulance/Hospital Life Line Hospital
157, Legacy, D. R. Road, Aundh, Pune - 411 007
Tel: +91 - 20 - 25882053, +91 - 20 - 25889334
Currency  Exchange Bank of Maharashtra
Main Road, Tel: +91 - 2168 - 260 290
ATM Centre State Bank of India
Dist-Satara, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra - 412 806
Bank of Maharashtra
Viswanath Smriti, 174, Bhavanipeeth, Satara,  Maharashtra - 415 002
Post Office
Mahabaleshwar Sub Post Office,
Mahabaleshwar Taluka, Dist-Satara,
Pin Code - 412 806, Tel: +91 - 2168 - 260 231
Tourist Office
 MTDC Tourist Office
Bombay Point Road, Tel: +91 - 2168 - 260 318
   
 
Food
Hotel Rajmahal, Main Road (South Indian food), Country Corner, Main Road (Pizza, Burger, snacks), Grapevine, Masjid Road (Non-vegetarian food). The place is famous for different types of berries like Strawberry, Raspberry, and Gooseberry. One can also buy products made of them for which Mapro Gardens is the ideal place.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconmahabaleshwar.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Mumbai
Pune
Aurangabad
Solapur
Nagpur
Railway: 
Main Railway Stations Station Code
Mumbai CST CSTM
Pandharpur PVR
Surat STA
Ahmednagar ANG
Pune Pune
Jejuri JJR
Nasik NK
Road Distance from Destinations: 
Trimbakeshwar Nasik 26 km
Mumbai 141 km
Pune 206 km
Nashik

 

 Mumbai 158 km
Nagpur 201 km
Aurangabad 197 km
Shirdi Nasik 96 km
Aurangabad 130 km
Ahmednagar 89 km
Kailashnath- Ellora Nasik 177 km
Mumbai 331 km
Aurangabad 28 km
Ghrishneshwar Aurangabad 32 km
Nasik 177 km
Shegaon Nagpur 106 km
Aurangabad 167 km
Mahabaleshwar Pune 86 km
Solapur 260 km
Pandharpur Pune 196 km
Aurangabad 290 km
Shani Shingnapur Aurangabad 84 km
Nasik 65 km
Pune 65 km
Bhimashankar Mumbai 108 km
Pune 87 km
Nasik 145 km
Jejuri Pune 40 km
Solapur 215 km
Aurangabad 244 km

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